My First Indoor Grow

[Sctanley007]

Just let the top get a bit bigger so you can get in and cut cleanly.

Here’s a Black Indica clone I have. First pic is post-topping on 10/26. The second one I just took today along with the top which was snipped. She just got a heavy feeding.

 

[jeeperrs]

I will take some new pictures this weekend. I have them on 20/4 light schedule. I could be very wrong but I think some are starting to show their sex. It seems way too early for that, as Tuesday will be 3 weeks. I am a professional at sexing in books but in reality I am not sure what is a new leave verses sex.

I must say that I enjoy opening the tent to smell them. The smell is not over powering but they definitely are coming into their own.

Thanks to those who reply and keep the dialog going.

 

[jeeperrs]

Here are some updated pictures in the same order as previous. I rotated pots, so they may look out of order. I am quite happy with how they are growing. Next Tuesday they will be 3 weeks from seed.

 

[Sctanley007]

They’re looking awesome. If you don’t already have cal-mag I strongly suggest getting some. 2 ml a gallon. Save yourself a possible major headache in a few weeks.

 

[jeeperrs]

I do have cal mag and add it to most watering. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[jeeperrs]

Just an update. The girls received their first topping on Monday and are recovering quite well. I noticed one plant seemed a bit more droopy than the others today, and wasn’t as deep green. They are in 3 gallon smart pots and I am almost positive that I have been under watering a tad. When I checked the soil, it was very dry and the only place I felt any moisture on the side of the pot was about the last .5-1 inch of the pot. Putting lite pressure on the sides you could hear the dry soil move. So, I gave her a good watering this morning and she is already starting to perk up. I think for my tent, my humidity, and the airflow inside, the girls require a bit more frequent watering (I have been watering 3-4 days apart). One plant has been a really fast grower compared to the other three and continues to be the fastest. Here are the pics of the growth. All 4 continue to stay really short. Maybe I should turn the lights down to make the stretch? They are 3 weeks and 2 days from seed.

 

[jeeperrs]

Should I cut the lowest two fan leaves to open the base of the plant? Or, should I wait until it is older to start doing that?

 

[jeeperrs]

The sad and droopy picture was earlier. You can see the leaves are straightening, darkening, and standing up after a good drink of water.

 

[jeeperrs]

They are all getting much more perky. I saw a video yesterday that confirmed they were underwatered. The branches also tell an important story. The video said branches in underwatered plants then to drop down but overwatered they stand up. Also, it said they will start to smell more than usual. My branches have dropped down more than a full standing up. I have also been making comments about how strong they smelled in veg. 15 hours after the heavy water all the branches are starting to stand up and the plants are actually taller today, the smell is also decreased. I did give a bit more water today to see how saturated the soil stayed, hence the runoff you see in the photos, so don’t think I am leaving them in standing water. I think I am finally starting to recognize what the plants are telling me.

 

[AngryBird]

They are perking up nicely

 

[jodyhighrollr]

Yeah man I was looking at your pictures and your plants are for sure underwatered. You are also use smart pots so the soil will dry out quicker/excess water will escape easily - don’t be afraid to water thoroughly. Some people disagree but I go until I get a small amount of run off. To me it’s important because it insures all of the soil is wet and when it drys again the roots will stretch. As far topping goes you can top at 3-5 nodes and again shortly after. I top my plants twice and fim side branches.

Hope everything is going well with your grow

 

[420IS]

RIDING ALONG.

 

[jeeperrs]

Wow! Your plants look amazing, Jodyhighroller!e. Thanks for the information

 

[jeeperrs]

Question: My temps are holding steady at 77-80 degrees when the lights are on. When the lights are off it drops to a low around 65 degrees. Is the temp low okay for the plants?

 

[AngryBird]

65 is slightly on the low, but not too bad.

 

[jeeperrs]

I decided to try a little pruning since they are so compact and all the new growth is trying to come up the middle. I had two handful of leaves when I finished the 4 plants. Thursday will make the 4 weeks old.

 

[jodyhighrollr]

That seems like a lot to take off at four weeks at least in my opinion.

 

[jeeperrs]

It is too late to go back and change it.

 

[jodyhighrollr]

It is too late to go back and change it.

I’m sure they will be fine. Some people like to defoliate a few times in veg. It can help get more lumens to lower branches. I personally lollipop and not much else. I’m not an expert by any means and it really depends on how you want to grow your plants to fit your space.

 

[jeeperrs]

I basically started the lollipop method but I did not go crazy. The leaves removed were the ones at the bottoms of the branches and not anywhere else. They were so bushy that many leaves were touching and laying on the ground. So, I took those off to allow air movement by the stem.